Merc's familiar large grille dominates the face, flanked by large headlights and a set of sports-styled bumper options.

With Daimler's upstream Maybach range now retired, the new S-Class has also upped its game in the cabin.

There's a more sumptuous and spacious interior with this new model, one that Mercedes hopes will win over Rolls-Royce and Bentley customers.

There's an extra 14mm of knee room in the rear, and a wider track also gives the new S-Class an extra 14mm of shoulder room.

Technologies in the new S-Class will include new petrol and hybrid powertrains, a new 9G-tronic nine-speed transmission and a number of segment-first safety systems.

"Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect," Daimler chairman and Mercedes-Benz chief Dr Dieter Zetsche said.

"No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class."

Among them, a new autonomous steering system that will - in certain situations - allow the driver to become a passenger, surrendering control to the car's computer.

A new pedestrian-detection system will also feature, adding a camera system to more efficiently interpret and recognise whether the obstacle is real and potentially dangerous.

The carmaker says that the addition of the camera technology will ensure that its PreSafe system is less likely to activate the automatic braking function unnecessarily.

The car's Emegency Brake assist will also be a more advanced package than in current models, allowing automatic braking to activate at speeds up to 70km, compared to 30km/h in its current form.

The system will work together with Emergency Steer Assist, helping the driver to safely swerve around an obstacle when appropriate.

Developed together with Continental, Mercedes says the combined system is the first of its kind.

Mercedes also promises a top-shelf Burmester audio system with an all-digital 12.3 inch high-resolution dual-view display in the dash, along with an advanced dual-zone Air-Balance cooling and heating system.

Models in the new S-Class range will include the S 500, powered by a 335kW and 700Nm 4.6 litre twin-turbo V8, offering a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 4.8 seconds.

A 4Matic all-wheel-drive version of the S 550 will also be offered in some markets, although Merc has yet to release details for that model.

TMR Comments

5 valve per cylinder | 16 May 2013 01:32

Geez that guy in the photo looks really really tiny.. car looks super luxurious though, only thing I'd change would be the steering wheel. Just got so used to seeing either a 3 or 4 sided wheel design, 2 is like so 70's American sedans.

Brett | 16 May 2013 01:37

I think i prefer the exterior of the outgoing S Class. This one has an ugly bum.

Shaun Brett | 16 May 2013 04:08

I actually really like the "bum" of it Brett haha, I saw a picture of it with it's tail lights on and the LEDs look great.

Lindsay Brett | 17 May 2013 01:35

I suspect that's right up the typical S-Class owner's alley, offending people as you drive past.